Dame

The role of the Dame is wide-ranging, and they play a key role in the running of a boarding house, assuming responsibility for the house in the House Master’s absence. Together with the House Master, they are responsible for the wellbeing of every pupil in the house and play a pivotal role in caring for and nurturing them, helping develop a culture based on kindness, courtesy, dignity and respect, and an environment where individual differences and the contributions of all members of the house are recognised and valued.\\n\\nThe Dame has particular responsibility for pupils’ health and provides first-line medical care, as well as the administration of medicines. In addition, they are responsible for the supervision and presentation of pupils in the house.

 They monitor the overall standards of cleanliness and catering (if relevant) within the boarding house and work closely with the Supervisors and Heads of these central teams to ensure that standards are maintained. They work with Buildings and maintenance departments to ensure that the fabric of the building is well maintained. They also help plan, organise, and manage the many and varied house events that take place every year.

They line-manage their two Dame’s Assistants.\\n\\nKey accountabilities:\\n\\nProvide high levels of pastoral care to pupils, including effective first-line medical care;\\nContribute to building a high performing house-team, including effective management and development of Dame’s Assistants;\\nDay-to-day responsibility for monitoring the overall standards of cleaning and catering (if applicable) within the house, working closely with the central teams to ensure that these are maintained; \\nWork in conjunction with departments across the College to help ensure that the house is fully compliant within the Dame’s areas of responsibility;\\nSound management of the house budgets for which the Dame is responsible.Benefits\\nAccommodation\\n\\nThis role comes with the benefit of school- provided accommodation. Accommodation is provided free of rent, council tax, buildings insurance and general maintenance costs.\\n\\nFurther benefits at Eton College include:\\n\\nGenerous pension scheme\\nEnhanced Maternity / Paternity pay\\nBike-to-work scheme\\nGive As you Earn scheme\\nCounselling and legal advice services\\nEyecare plan\\nFree or heavily discounted access to the College’s sport and leisure facilities\\nDiscount at local shops and amenitiesMain Duties\\nProvide a sympathetic presence in the house, working closely with the House Master to provide a high level of pastoral care to pupils, liaising closely with other relevant staff as necessary, including those in the Safeguarding Team, the Stephenson Centre for Wellbeing, and the Health Centre;\\nPromote and safeguard the welfare of pupils, adhering to the school’s Safeguarding procedures and Child Protection Policy and processes at all times. Reporting any concerns regarding actual or potential risks in line with the school’s policies.\\nWork closely with the House Master to ensure high standards of cleanliness and presentation of pupils, as well as helping to uphold the disciplinary ethos of the house;\\nWork closely with the House Master to ensure high quality pupil recruitment, admission and induction processes are in place; contributing to the interviewing of prospective pupils and their families, as well as induction arrangements for new pupils, including meeting with them prior to their arrival;\\nBe a highly visible presence around the school, regularly attending fixtures and events in support of pupils;\\nLiaising with the House Master, Dame’s Assistants, and central catering as necessary to help plan, organise and manage the many and varied house events that take place;\\nBe present at meals ensuring regular pupil attendance and overseeing behaviour;\\nBe ’on call’ when on duty overnight.\\nContribute to building a collaborative, supportive and high-performing team within the house.\\nLead and line-manage the Dame’s Assistants; holding regular meetings, and providing appropriate direction and support, as well as helping to manage their workload;\\nIn conjunction with the Boarding Leadership Team, manage the appraisal process of Dame’s Assistants and support their professional and career development;\\nDelegate duties to Dame’s Assistants when necessary; \\nIn conjunction with the Director of Boarding Management, help lead and coordinate the induction of new Dame’s Assistants;\\nWork in partnership with the central housekeeping, maintenance and catering staff, liaising regularly with line managers to ensure high standards are maintained and an effective appraisal process can be carried out.\\nBe a representative of the House to parents and the Eton Community, communicating with parents where necessary concerning housekeeping, pastoral and medical matters, responding to all communications from parents in a timely manner. \\nProvide first-line medical care for pupils, holding formal daily surgeries, including after every meal, and administering medications in line with school policies, liaising with and/or referring to the school’s health and medical staff when necessary.;\\nAccompany pupils to routine medical appointments as necessary, and respond to medical emergencies, including accompanying pupils to the Health Centre or hospital;\\nProvide consent for medical interventions when necessary, such as when pupils are to undergo operations in hospital, as well as deal with pupil’s private medical insurance.\\nAuthorise medical absences for pupils;\\nConduct comprehensive handover sessions with Dame’s Assistants during duty change periods.\\nSupport the House Master with planned, termly fire drills and lockdown procedure drills, liaising with the Health & Safety Department to help address any issues that may arise;\\nKeep a house maintenance log to help direct the work of central maintenance and liaise with the Buildings Department and Health & Safety Department to help ensure that the fabric of the house is compliant and in a state of good repair. (These tasks are often delegated to the Dame’s Assistants, with the Dame maintaining oversight).\\nAttend house team meetings and other meetings as directed by the House Master;\\nTogether with the House Master, maintain budgetary control for all house purchases within the Dame’s area of competence.\\nImplement the policies of the School and communicate decision taken by the School as appropriate to Dame’s Assistants;\\nAttend Dames’ meetings and other meetings as directed by the Director of Boarding Management; sharing ideas and good practice and contributing to school-wide development;\\nContribute to the recruitment of new Dame’s Assistants, including helping to short list and interview candidates;\\nUndertake any training and gain any qualifications deemed necessary by the school.The Ideal CandidateTo be considered for this role you will need:\\n\\nExperience of pastoral care for children or young adults, preferably in a boarding school context;\\nExperience of line management with excellent people management skills, including the ability to listen empathically, motivate and inspire and build cohesive teams, as well as manage difficult conversations and resolve conflicts effectively when they occur;\\nGood data management and IT skills;\\nExcellent organisational and time management skills;\\nExcellent written and oral communication skills;\\nA strong commitment to Safeguarding and Child Protection, and an up-to-date knowledge of Safeguarding legislation;\\nA nationally recognised First Aid qualification or the demonstrable ability to complete one immediately after appointment.

An NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care and/or a Professional Practice in Boarding Schools Certificate would be desirable;\\nConfident to uphold the School Rules and high standards among pupils;\\nA strong commitment to upholding Eton’s aims and ethos, including to its principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion, as well as its legal and regulatory obligations;\\nTo be a friendly, approachable, and sympathetic person, with energy and drive;\\nA desire to learn and grow personally and professionally;\\nA strong commitment to your own professional development.You may be suitable for this role if, in addition to the above, you:\\n\\nHave a passion for working with children and young adults, helping them to grow and develop;\\nEnjoy being part of and engaging with a large school community of pupils, parents, and staff;\\nEnjoy leading and working in a team;\\nEnjoy supporting and developing colleagues;\\nEnjoy juggling competing priorities;\\nHave a positive approach to change and development;\\nEnjoy coming up with creative solutions to problems.About The CollegeIf you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on  so we can make adjustments accordingly. \\n\\nLIVING IN ETON\\n\\nAll members of our community are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the school and to enjoy the beautiful grounds and facilities. Windsor is just across the river, with a tangle of pretty lanes, chic shopping streets, green spaces, an ancient castle and picturesque tea shops. There is plenty to see and do.

Windsor hosts the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world as well as one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious repertory theatres. 20 miles of beautiful and historic waterways meanders through the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, leaving historic villages and iconic attractions waiting to be discovered, such as the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham, Windsor Guildhall, Maidenhead Heritage Centre and LEGOLAND Windsor. Central London is also easily accessible by rail or motorway.\\n\\nTHE ETON COMMUNITY\\n\\nThere is enormous collegiality at the school. We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity.

We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.\\n\\nDISCLOSURE CHECKS\\n\\nEton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including, but not limited to, reference checks with past employers, an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (including Barred List information), an online search and, where applicable, Prohibition checks. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College